Anchor storage aid

ABSTRACT

An anchor storage aid for supporting an anchor chain in an opening in the bulkhead of a chain locker. The storage aid includes a circular inflatable member peripherally engaged in the opening of the bulkhead and provided with a generally circular opening which with the member deflated permits the free passage of the chain therethrough. An elongated inflatable member is provided on the circular member and is adapted to extend through the opening in one end of the links of the chain. When the circular and elongated members are inflated, the chain is held in position in the bulkhead opening and the elongated member obturates the opening in the link through which it passes to prevent the passing of water into the locker.

United States Patent [15] 3,661,112 Angell 1 May 9, 1972 [54] AID Primary E.\'uminerEv0n C. Blunk Assistant Emminer-J. Kenneth Silverman [72] Inventor. Olav Angell, 880 59th Street, Brooklyn, Anomey Robens&Cohen 22 Filed: Jan. 29, 1971 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 110,866 An anchor storage aid for supporting an anchor chain in an [52] US. Cl ..l14/200, 114/180 [51] ..B63b 21/18 [58] Field of Search ..114/180, 199, 200

[561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994 291 8/1961 Angel] ..114/200 2,652,018 9/1953 Griffith ..1 14/180 opening in the bulkhead ofa chain locker. The storage aid includes a circular inflatable member peripherally engaged in the opening of the bulkhead and provided with a generally circular opening which with the member deflated permits the free passage of the chain therethrough. An elongated inflatable member is provided on the circular member and is adapted to extend through the opening in one end of the links of the chain. When the circular and elongated members are inflated, the chain is held in position in the bulkhead opening and the elongated member obturates the opening in the link through which it passes to prevent the passing of water into the locker.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 9 m2 3. 661 1 12 6'4 62 SOURCE INVI'INI'UH. OLAV ANGELL Wa d-,4

ATTORNEYS F 6 2 30 4 2:: OF PAESS.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to anchor storage aids and more particularly to devices for securing anchor chains in openings in chain lockers.

When an anchor is stored on a maritime vessel, its chain is generally stored in a chamber known as a chain locker. Normally the chain is passed through an opening in a deck or bulkhead forming the upper wall of the chain locker. It is desirable that the chain be immobilized in said opening and that the opening be rendered water-tight in order to prevent damage to the chain locker and to minimize exposure of the chain to the corrosive action of the water.

2. Prior Art In my prior patent, US. Pat. No. 2,994,291, which issued Aug. 1, 1961, I have set forth an anchor storage aid in which a deflatable and inflatable member is employed to secure a chain in the opening of a chain locker. The storage aid which I have previously patented is suitable for many purposes, but nonetheless permits the ingress of water into the chain locker via the openings in the links of the chain being treated.

In US. Pat. No. 2,652,018, which issued to F. J. Griffith on Sept. I5, 1953, a chain pipe cover and seal is disclosed which also employs an inflatable member. This cover and seal apparatus is provided with a sophisticated configuration which is difficult to manufacture and to employ in actual use. Consequently, this apparatus has not met with substantial success.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide improved arrangements pertaining to the immobilization of a chain in the opening of a chain locker and the rendering of said opening watertight.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved means to immobilize a chain in the opening of a chain locker without employing apparatus which is difficult to manufacture and to apply to the chain being treated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved arrangements for immobilizing chains in chain lockers in an extremely convenient manner.

Briefly, to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, there is provided an anchor storage aid for supporting an anchor chain in the opening in the bulkhead of a chain locker, the chain being of the type including links which are connected together and which are provided with openings therethrough. The storage aid of the invention comprises a circular inflatable member which is peripherally engaged in the opening in the bulkhead and which is provided with a generally circular opening which, when the member is deflated, permits the free passage of the chain therethrough. Moreover, there is provided an elongated inflatable member on the circular member and adapted to extend through the opening in one of the links whereby when the circular and elongated members are inflated the chain is held in position in the bulkhead opening and the elongated member obturates the opening in the link through which it passes in order to avoid the passage of water into the chain locker.

According to a feature of the invention, the elongatedmember is cantilevered on the circular member and extends diametrally across the opening of the circular member.

The elongated and circular member are preferably provided with interconnected interior chambers. Moreover, the members may include a bladder with a cover provided between. The circular member will preferably have a diameter which exceeds the height of the circular member.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the circular member is divided along a radius thereof, this radius preferably being perpendicular to the aforenoted elongated member. The circular member may be provided with a peripheral groove for the engagement of the bulkhead through which the chain passes into the chain locker.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the elongated member may be a generally rectilinear member having a free end contoured to engage with the circular member.

Other objects as well as advantages of the invention and features thereof will be found in the detailed description which follows wherein is described a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompany drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the environment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, there being diagrammatically shown in association therewith a source of a pressure medium;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view diametrally through the apparatus of the invention showing the same in association with a chain; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 is illustrated a portion of a maritime vessel comprising a chain locker 10 having a deck 12, side walls 14 and 16, and an upper deck or bulkhead l8 constituting the upper covering element of the chain locker. The bulkhead I8 is provided with an opening 20 through which passes the chain 22 which is permitted to fall in arbitrary manner indicated at 24 in the chain locker.

FIGS. 24 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of an anchor storage aid 30, the anchor storage aid 30 being adapted to immobilize the chain 22 in the opening 20 in a manner to be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.

The anchor storage aid of the invention includes a generally circular inflatable member 32 provided with an interior opening 34. The circular member 32 may include a bladder 36 and an exterior cover 38.

The dimensions of the circular member are such that it is accommodated within the opening 20 and peripherally engages the bulkhead or deck 18. To facilitate engagement of the deck 18, the cover 38 may be provided with extensions 40 which define a groove 42 by means of which an accommodation is made to the shape of the deck 18.

The circular member 32 is split as indicated at 44 along a radius of the circle. The provision of this split permits the ready removal of the anchor storage aid when it is desired to mobilize the chain 22.

Extending internally and diametrally across the circular member 32 is an elongated inflatable member 50. The elongated inflatable member 50 is cantilevered at 52 on the interior surface of the circular member 32 and extends completely across the opening 34. It has a free end 54 which is provided with a contour adapted to engage with the interior surface of the circular member 32.

As has been indicated hereinabove with respect to the circular member, the elongated member may be provided with a bladder 56 and a cover 58. The bladder 56 is integral with bladder 36 of the circular member and the cover 58 is integral with the cover 38 of the circular member. The cover may be a relatively strong rubber or alternatively may be a crushable foam rubber adapted for readily accommodating the contour of the links of the chain with which engagement is to be made. For purposes of inflating the aforesaid inflatable members, there is provided a source 60 of pressure medium which is connected by a hose 62 and controllable valve 64 with the circular inflatable member 32. Since the circular member and elongated member are provided with interconnected internal chambers 66 and 68, these members will be concomitantly inflated.

It is to be noted that the split along radius 44 is generally perpendicularly disposed relative to the elongated member 50. This, as will be seen, facilitates dissembling the apparatus when the intention is to mobilize the chain when the anchor is to be moved. When the anchor storage aid of the invention is to be employed and the chain 22 has been appropriately positioned relative to opening 20, the circular member is parted at 44 and is placed around the chain with the groove 42 appropriately positioned on the edge of deck 18 which defines the opening 20. The elongated member 50, which is still in deflated condition as is the circulaR member 32, is inserted through the opening in the link L which is juxtaposed to the anchor storage aid of the invention. The control valve 64 is opened to permit the flow of pressure medium from the source 60 into the circular element 32 and into the elongated element 50. The inflatable members 32 and 50 are inflated and tend to fill in the opening 20 while accommodating to the shape of the adjacent link or links of the chain 22. The elongated member 50 being appropriately positioned within the opening of the nearest adjacent link L fills up this opening and thus along with the circular member 32 provides for a water-tight, but temporary seal between the chain and the deck 18.

A release of the pressure medium from the inflatable members by use of the control valve 64 or the like permits deflation of members 32 and 50 whereupon the anchor storage aid of the invention may be readily dissembled from the associated chain and from the deck 18.

From what has been stated above, it will now be appreciated that there has been disclosed an anchor storage aid for supporting an anchor chain in the opening in the bulkhead or deck of a chain locker, the storage aid comprising circular and elongated members which are interconnected and cooperatively inflatable to obturate the spaces which exist between a chain and a deck through which the chain is to pass into a chain locker. The elongated member is cantilevered on the circular member and extends diametrally across the opening of the circular member. These inflatable members have interconnected interior chambers and may be formed of, for example, a bladder with a cover provided thereon.

it will be noted that the circular member has a diameter which exceeds the height thereof, this greatly facilitating the utilization of the storage aid of the invention.

As has been noted hereinabove, the circular member is divided along a radius thereof, this radius being preferably perpendicular to the elongated member to facilitate dissociation of the storage aid of the invention from the associated chain.

As a further feature of the invention, there has been disclosed the use of a peripheral groove in the circular member for engagement of the associated deck or bulkhead. It will also be noted that the elongated member is a generally rectilinear member which is preferably provided with a free end contoured to engage the interior surface of the circular member associated therewith.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structure set forth above. These modifications and variations will not however depart from the scope of the invention if they come within the bounds of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An anchor storage aid for supporting an anchor chain in an opening in a bulkhead of a chain locker, said chain including links connected together and having openings therethrough, said storage aid comprising a circular inflatable member peripherally engaged in said opening and provided with a generally circular opening which with said member deflated permits the free passage of said chain therethrough, and an elongated inflatable member on said circular member and adapted to extend through the opening in one of said links whereby when the circular and elongated members are infiated the chain is held in position in the bulkhead opening and the elongated member obturates the opening in said one link to prevent the passage of water into said locker.

2. A storage aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated member is cantilevered on said circular member and extends diametrallyacross the openin of the circular member.

3. A storage aid as claimed in 0 arm 2, wherein the elongated and circular members have interconnected interior chambers.

4. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said members include a bladder and a cover thereon.

5. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the circular member has a diameter which exceeds the height of the circu lar member.

6. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the circular member is divided along a radius thereof.

7. A storage aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein said radius is perpendicular to said elongated member.

8. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said circular member has a peripheral groove for the engagement of said bulkhead.

9. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elongated member is a generally rectilinear member having a free end contoured to engage said circular member. 

1. An anchor storage aid for supporting an anchor chain in an opening in a bulkhead of a chain locker, said chain including links connected together and having openings therethrough, said storage aid comprising a circular inflatable member peripherally engaged in said opening and provided with a generally circular opening which with said member deflated permits the free passage of said chain therethrough, and an elongated inflatable member on said circular member and adapted to extend through the opening in one of said links whereby when the circular and elongated members are inflated the chain is held in position in the bulkhead opening and the elongated member obturates the opening in said one link to prevent the passage of water into said locker.
 2. A storage aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated member is cantilevered on said circular member and extends diametrally across the opening of the circular member.
 3. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongated and circular members have interconnected interior chambers.
 4. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said members include a bladder and a cover thereon.
 5. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the circular member has a diameter which exceeds the height of the circular member.
 6. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the circular member is divided along a radius thereof.
 7. A storage aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein said radius is perpendicular to said elongated member.
 8. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said circular member has a peripheral groove for the engagement of said bulkhead.
 9. A storage aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elongated member is a generally rectilinear member having a free end contoured to engage said circular member. 